We recently had our one week CO visit. This was my first ASL CO Visit ever. Their names are Otniel and Susan. They are awesomeness! Very down to earth, kind, and we had so many things in common.
They were Special Pioneers for 8 years, then got invited to the school for married couples, and then appointed COs. They actually went to the school with my family Greg and Ruth. So going through memory lane I had actually met them but in this visit I got to know them!
It was so encouraging, so many laughs too!
He and our elder gave Karen and I a shepparding call. Wow, they brought out points in regards to our move, the help we've done, how we have been a great support, and even gave us points for future use. So much encouragent and great advice!
We even got to provide lunch for Otniel and Susan! We cooked enchiladas! Lol. They loved it since Mexican food is rare here.
Service was good too! Every service meet we were encouraged to focus on the deaf, and really start bible studies!! He brought out points that we are starting to put into practice now! Let's see from here to 6 months how much success we have!
Here are some service pics
They even prepared a demo to help us put into practice some new points
Another highlight of the week was when Otniel was invited to give a talk at a Spanish congregation. He apparently is friends with the elder there and invited him to come. Otniel accepted and then he offered to give another talk as well. So in one Spanish meeting he gave the first talk, the watchtower was reduced, and then Otniel gave the last talk. Just like a regular CO visit.
His first talk was about how Satan is smart and does his best to make us fall. I really liked it because he mentioned how if satan wrote us a letter what would it say?
1- hey friend thanks so much for being spiritually lazy, I love how easy you fall for what a put in front of you. I'm happy you have abandoned Jehovah. Please don't change!
3- enemy of mine, you have made me work and work and no matter what I do you don't fall. You stay with Jehovah and you don't change, I'll keep trying.
Wow!
His second was about how we can make sacrifices. He mainly talked about how we can all do our part in helping more where there is need. He gave this talk to encourage some and see the possibility of moving to ASL. However he brought out this point- if you can't move its understandable, maybe there can be days when you support the deaf search work. However let's mention about the respect asl deserves. Some people think that it's funny to make fun of sign calling people names for all the movements we do with our face and body, however keep in mind that asl is an official language, it's a form of communication. Would the branch put in so much effort into asl if it wasnt an official lanugage? They make the DVDs and Videos for a reason, and asl must be respected.
Also some people think that if a person moves to sign they won't progress, they think that because it's simple or different then they won't learn anything. But that is wrong, our watchtowers are the same like in Spanish, the books too, they are translated but provide the same meaning and teaching. And the truth is that no matter what language you study in, as long as you study there will be progress.
He gave so many good points, unfortunately some people have the wrong idea of Asl, some people judge it without really knowing what it means or consist of.
All around a very encouraging week and new friends made!
